Meet Spot

[RockDoc]

RockDoc,

Looks good! How thick of plate, are you useing.

Plan is to laminate two 1/4" core layers and a layer of 0.075" (I think it is) on either side. With gaskets that should match the N307LOE bearing thickness nicely (~0.67" IIRC) The transmission side and core layers will get laminated once they are drilled out, the transfer side will get laminated and transfer mount holes drilled and threaded once I have a chance to dry fit it all and clock the transfer as needed.

 

[RockDoc]

4.11...

Thanks.

 

[RockDoc]

Got working on a bumper for Spot this past week. Plan to test drive it on the 62 at Moab later this month. Threw a swamper underneath for a bit of inspiration.

 

[Chamba]

Hey Curtis,

Are you going to use those rims with the 60 series axles? Did you get a chance to look at my outboarding when you saw my rig at Slickrock? I've got 8" Sunraysia but with 5.5" factory rims I reckon it would be just about flush with the wheel well.

Looking forward to the progress on this rig. I hope you'll do loads of protection as it would be a shame to dent up that clean body.... bad enough you took it to Canada

 

[RockDoc]

I plan to use the chrome 60 rims to start, likely do something more fitting down the road. Didn't have a crawl under your truck in the campground, but it sure was a looker. It'll get some protection for sure, stout bumpers, 2x4 tubing for rocker/sliders, .... I'll try to keep it off the road in the winter so it doesn't see much salt. The SM420 pretty much comes from having a truck laying around the farm with one in it was going to poach. Then I found one cheap on kijiji and ran with it.

Once it is all together, I'm sure it will get down to the states for visitations pretty regularly.

 

[RockDoc]

Well, been a while since I've updated here.

I now have a full float 60 axle torn down to inspect/clean/paint. Picked that up in Moab from Chamba




One of the hubs has wallowed out stud holes (I was anticipating a used FF would have some wear to deal with, glad it was this rather than a worn spindle). Looks like it was "fixed" at one point by tack welding the studs in place. Didn't hold worth a crap, 3 came out by hand. At any rate, I've tracked down a replacement, so should be golden in a bit.



Have an e-locker on the way from GLTHFJ60 to put in it. Back at work after spring break up, so funds are coming in to get some more shopping done. A late spring and keeping busy with other things kept me from getting down to much over the break. I did test mixing and matching 55 and 60 series drive shafts to see if they'll mate at the splined slip joint, which they do. So I'll likely go that way to adapt between the 3-speed transfer and the 80 series diffs.

Baby steps, but it's moving in the right direction.

 

[scrapdaddy]

So, you have a 60 ff axle with an 80 E-locker diff. correct.

What is the gear ratio on an 80 or are you going to change it.

Looks like you got it figured out. Good Job!

 

[RockDoc]

Correct. This will give me an 80 elocker in the rear, I already have a similarly elocked front 62 axle that will go under to match. The 80 ratio is 4.10 which should be a good starting point with a 1:1 top gear ratio and 33-35" tires.

Things are figured out on paper (several different ways ) but going to be lots of figuring in steel yet.

 

[RockDoc]

Was hoping I would get a fair bit done over Christmas break, but the weather has been horrible. I think today was first day above -20 that I've been home.

Anyway, have been slowly picking at getting the FF 60 axle under the back, and finally got the housing snugged in to make sure the e-locker will clear the u-bolt. Looks like it will work for now with the stock u-bolt layout. With a u-bolt flip or SOA down the road it may take some thought to work around.